PICO RIVERA – Two sports teams are disagreeing over an idea to place a permanent grandstand in a park used by football and baseball teams.

The city is considering installing a concrete and metal grandstand for football games at Rivera Park for Pico Rivera Dons games, but the Rivera Baseball Association said the structure would take space away from baseball fields.

The two sides will meet Monday evening at Rivera Park to hash out their differences.

“We feel that there’s no need for a grandstand for football for only four home games a year,” said Mike Lay, vice president of the Rivera Baseball Association. “We’re suggesting a temporary grandstand that can be moved for baseball.”

But Anna Gonzalez, president of the Pico Rivera Dons, said the stand is needed for the 1,500- to 2,000-person crowds football games draw.

“It’s not a baseball park, it’s a football and baseball park,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t think anything portable would look anything like a permanent grandstand. We need grandstands, and we need them badly.”

City officials said no plans are yet set in stone.

“We’re still finalizing the conceptual plans,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ralph Aranda. “We haven’t begun the construction documents, that’s the stage we want to avoid major changes.”

The Rivera Park overhaul is part of a multimillion-dollar citywide plan to renovate the city’s major parks. The park project is expected to cost about $4.5 million.

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